Comrades in Yarn

Whether you wield the Hook or the Needles (or some combination of the two) attending a Knit and Crochet Show is a great place for meeting up with friends and making new friends. In fact, for me it is the very best reason to come to the shows.

The first Knit & Crochet show I ever attended was the September 2008 show in Portland, OR. I came by myself because there were classes that I really wanted to take and I didn’t know anyone else that loved to play with yarn like me.

I left the show having met many wonderful friends, whom I am still in touch with. Most notably my dear Jan, Bonnie Pierce and Pam Shore. I also had the opportunity to meet friends I had beforehand only known online: Vashti Braha, Jenny Dowde, Laurie Wheeler, Sarah B, to name a few.

I am usually terrible about getting photos of folks at the shows, but this recent show I attempted to do better.

Linda & Doris

Linda Dean is a wonderful new designer whose enthusiasm and contagious laugh are a joy to be around. And of course, the lovely Doris Chan is truly an encouraging and inspiring force to be reckoned with.

Some of the International FreeForm Guild group

It’s always great fun to spend time with this inspiring bunch, I first learned about the International Free Form Guild at the Portland 2008 show. But, this was the first show I actually got to visit with Prudence Mapstone and she was an absolute blast. I wish I’d realized that the folks in the back row of this picture were a bit out of focus. In the front row from left to right: Me, Mirtooli, Jorel; back row, Barbara H, Melba, Prudence.

Margaret Fisher

I was very charmed by the lovely Margaret Fisher, who surprised me by knowing what a geek I am. We had a very fun conversation about crocheting a moebius and our other odd geometric leanings.

Amy Shelton wearing her tiarra

Amy, one of the founders of Crochetville and current President of the CGOA, had a few of us worrying about her sanity when she was running about with a tiara on her head. But she is very fond of the sparkly. Don’t know if you tell from this photo, but the dress she is wearing is super sparkly too. Of course, those of you that know me well are aware I have a thing about sparkly as well.

Vashti and Ellen

The lovely Ellen Gormley and Vashti Braha. Ellen is a talented designer with some great books out, if you love interesting motif afghans you need to get her book ” Go Crochet: Afghan Design Workbook” and if lace is more your style check out her latest book from Annie’s “Learn Bruges Lace”. Vashti is always an inspiration with her take on designing and crochet, she also helped keep us all in order and sane during the CGOA banquet Fashion Show.

These are just the photos I got, but there were loads of other friends there.

Come join us for all the fun and camaraderie in 2013. The Knit & Crochet Shows next year will be in Indianapolis, IN (July 17-21) and Charlotte, NC (October 2 -6).